Department for International Development: Staff and Budget Comparisons

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people are on the home based and overseas staff of the Department for International Development; how many people are on the Brussels-based and overseas staff of the European Commission covering comparable work; and what is the current size of the Department for International Development budget and that of the European Union for comparable work.

Baroness Amos: Current staff numbers and overall budgets for the Department for International Development (DFID) and equivalent figures for the European Union (EU) are as follows:
	
		
			  
			 DFID staff numbers (home and overseas) 1,370 
			 European Commission equivalent 2,566 
			 DFID Budget (2000-2001) £3.2 billion 
			 EU Budget (2000) £6.0 billion 
		
	
	Staff numbers do not include local staff appointed in country (SAIC) as EC figures are not available. The DFID figure for SAIC is 410.
	DFID budgets are set out by financial year whereas those for the EU are set by calendar year. Otherwise the figures are broadly comparable.

Fishing Vessels: Decommissioning

Lord Haskel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will be introducing a decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels.

Baroness Hayman: We had envisaged that a limited fishing vessel decommissioning scheme might have been needed to meet our EU obligations to reduce capacity of fixed gear vessels. However, capacity in the lines and nets segment of the fleet is already within the MAGP IV objectives for end 2001, and the tonnage of shellfish fixed gear vessels is close to the 2001 objectives. We do not therefore plan to hold a decommissioning scheme in present circumstances.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Outbreak, USA

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have been provided with any samples by the United States Department of Agriculture from the recent sheep Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy outbreak in Vermont; and, if not, whether they expect to receive any such samples.

Baroness Hayman: The United States Department of Agriculture has not yet approached Her Majesty's Government to ask if they will receive samples from the recent sheep TSE outbreak in Vermont to assist with the investigation. However, Her Majesty's Government would respond positively if such an approach was made.

North-east Coast Salmon Drift Net Fishery

Lord Sanderson of Bowden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they propose to stop the practice of drift netting at sea off the coast of north-east England, bearing in mind the estimated catch of salmon by such methods in 1999.

Baroness Hayman: The north-east coast salmon drift net fishery is being phased out; the numbers of net licences issued has halved since the phase-out began in 1993. The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review recommended that the phase-out should be accelerated, with compensation offered to netsmen to encourage them to leave this fishery on a voluntary basis as soon as possible. The Government are currently seeking views on the review's recommendations, and will make their response to them later in the year.

Scottish Parliament: Acts

The Earl of Mar and Kellie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list the Acts made by the Scottish Parliament, and give the dates on which they received Royal Assent.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: This is a matter for the Scottish Parliament. The information requested can be obtained from the Scottish Parliament Information Office or from the Scottish Parliament website.

Government Property Lawyers: Annual Report and Accounts

Baroness Thornton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Government Property Lawyers Report and Accounts for 1997-98 will be published.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I can confirm that I have today placed copies of the annual report in the Library.

Yorkshire Water: Sale Proposals

Baroness Harris of Richmond: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Ofwat's consultation period on the Kelda proposals, which ends on 17 July, will now be extended to the end of September; and
	Whether detailed financial information on Yorkshire Water will be made available to customers before any decision on the purchase price is agreed; and
	What mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that there is genuine independence in negotiating the sale price of Yorkshire Water; and how customers who are buying will be involved as well as shareholders who are selling; and
	Why it is proposed that the new Registered Community Asset Mutual (RCAM) which is to take over Yorkshire Water Services will contract for the first five years of its operation with Kelda, which will subcontract the work to others; and whether instead the new RCAM could subcontract the work itself from the start.

Lord Whitty: The Government's prime interest is to ensure that any reorganisation in the water industry will bring direct and long lasting benefits to customers, and that companies can continue to comply with their public health and environmental obligations.
	Under the Water Industry Act 1991, the Director General of Water Services has a duty to act in the manner he considers best calculated to secure that the interests of customers are protected. The Director General has said that he considers that more consultation with customers is necessary before the proposal by Kelda could go ahead. Following receipt of responses to his earlier consultation paper, he intends to publish a position paper on the issues raised by Kelda's proposals, including those raised by the noble Baroness, on 25 July. This will set out how best such further consultation should be conducted.

Yorkshire Water: Sale Proposals

The Lord Bishop of Wakefield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether sufficient opportunity has been given by Ofwat to the people of Yorkshire to express their views regarding the sale of Yorkshire Water.

Lord Whitty: The Director General of Water Services has said that he considers that more consultation with customers is necessary before the proposal by Kelda could go ahead. Following receipt of responses to his earlier consultation paper, he intends to publish a position paper on the issues raised by Kelda's proposal before 31 July, including how best such further consultation should be conducted.

Smoking in the Workplace

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What encouragement they give to private organisations to operate a "no smoking policy" in their workplaces.

Lord Whitty: The Health and Safety (HSE) is responsible for health, safety and welfare in the workplace. It recommends that all employers should introduce a policy to control smoking in the workplace which gives priority to the needs of non-smokers. HSE's guidance Passive smoking at work encourages employers to introduce a ban on indoor smoking.

Safer Streets Coalition: Representations

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have received in regard to priorities to transport from the Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People and member organisations of the Safer Streets Coalition; what reply they will be sending; and what action they will be taking.

Lord Whitty: We have in the last few days received a letter from the Joint Committee on behalf of the member organisations of the Safer Streets Coalition.
	We are considering the representations they have made and will be writing to them in due course.
	I will ensure that a copy of my reply is sent to the noble Lord.

A.1 Newcastle to Berwick Improvement

Lord Walton of Detchant: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of the recent increase in spending on transport in their Spending Review 2000, they will now give priority to the dualling of the A.1 trunk road in north Northumberland.

Lord Whitty: In Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan we have announced the acceleration of the A.1 Newcastle to Berwick Multi Modal Study. Consultants will be selected later this year with a target of reporting within 12 months drawing upon the findings of the existing Route Management Study and the Tyneside Area Multi Modal Study.

Swimming Pool Lifeguarding

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What regulatory cost assessment was carried out by the Health and Safety Commission before it propagated its new regulations for swimming pool lifeguarding; and what account the commission took of the impact of its proposals on swimming clubs.

Lord Whitty: No new regulations for swimming pool lifeguarding have been introduced by the Health and Safety Commission. The safety of workers and the public in swimming pools is protected under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and supporting legislation.
	The Health and Safety Commission published guidance entitled Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG 179) in 1999 to describe good practice and help pool operators to comply with their duties under the legislation. It offers practical information to pool operators, including on lifeguarding. Following the guidance is not compulsory and organisations are free to take other action to comply with their statutory duties.

Attacks on Train: British Transport Police Policy

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is a policy which prevents British Transport Police from attending calls from freight train drivers, such as the attack on train OZ95 on 8 June at Green Lane near Tyne Dock by 20 youths throwing bricks at the driver.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: There is no policy that would prevent the British Transport Police (BTP) from attending calls from freight train drivers.
	As a port, Tyne Dock is outside the jurisdiction of the BTP and is policed by Northumbria Police. When the BTP control room received the report of the attack on the freight train they were advised that Northumbria Police were in attendance, that the culprits had fled and that no injuries or damage had occurred. At this time all BTP officers in the vicinity were attending other incidents of trespass and vandalism and it was decided that they should continue to attend their original calls. Had any BTP officers been available then they would have attended the incident at Tyne Dock.

Attacks on Train: British Transport Police Policy

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether British Transport Police has a policy of only attending incidents involving attacks on freight trains after an injury or fatality is reported.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The British Transport Police has no such policy.

Attacks on Train: British Transport Police Policy

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the duties of British Transport Police in respect of protecting trains and railway personnel from attack.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The duties of the British Transport Police, like those of any other force, are to uphold law and order, maintain the Queen's peace and protect the public and staff on the railways. Their mission statement is to keep the peace on our railways and make them safe and secure.

Genetic Testing and Employment

Lord Puttnam: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will respond to the report published in 1999 by the Human Genetics Advisory Commission, The Implications of Genetic Testing for Employment.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government have given careful consideration to a report on The Implications of Genetic Testing for Employment, from the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC). The Government agree with the HGAC that this is an issue which should be kept under close review in future. The Government accept the main findings of the HGAC's report. They have today asked the Human Genetics Commission, which is the successor to the HGAC, to take note of the HGAC's recommendations, have suggested ways of taking them forward and have drawn attention to the measures it has already taken in this area. The Government have also asked the HGC to consider the next steps by including this issue in the Commission's wider study of the uses of genetic information and to provide advice to Ministers in due course. I am placing a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Mirror Group Newspapers: Investigation Costs

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 10 July (H.L. Deb., col. 9) that the cost of the investigation into the affairs of the Mirror Group was £7.6 million, whether they will provide an analysis of the expenditure to date, including the amounts paid to the two Inspectors.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The costs incurred to date of the inspectors' investigations into the affairs and membership of Mirror Group Newspapers are £1,474,193 in respect of lawyers' fees and expenses and £6,217,465 in respect of accountants' fees and expenses.
	The lawyers' fees represent payment to Sir John Thomas, the lawyer inspector, a junior counsel and a QC employed to assist the inspectors. On taking up his judicial appointment in 1996, for which he receives a salary from the public purse, Sir John Thomas has not sought payment in respect of his work on the inspection. The accountants' fees represent payment to Raymond Turner, the accountant inspector, and for professional and administrative support provided to the inspectors by his firm. Any more detailed analysis of expenditure could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

Children Act Report: Updated Statistics

Lord Morris of Castle Morris: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish updated statistics to fulfil the undertaking given in the Children Act Report 1995-1999.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have published on the Department of Health internet website a supplementary report entitled Children Act Report--1999 Supplement and we have placed copies in the Library.

Mentally Disordered Defendants: Court Division Schemes

Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many court diversion schemes for mentally disordered defendants currently receive central government funding.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In 2000-01 39 court diversion schemes are receiving £808,000 of central government funding for assessment of mentally disordered defendants.

Residential and Nursing Home Standards

Lord Brooks of Tremorfa: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to announce their conclusions based on the responses received to Fit for the Future?

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have announced the conclusions the Government have reached in relation to the physical standards in residential and nursing homes based on the responses to the consultation process Fit for the Future? These are:
	the standard for single rooms in existing care homes will be 10 sq m from 2007;
	the standard for single rooms in new care homes will be 12 sq m from 2002;
	wheelchair users should have rooms of 12 sq m and door widths of 800mm for their own accommodation and communal rooms;
	each resident should, in addition to the above, have a minimum of 4.1 sq m of communal day space within the care home;
	shared rooms in existing homes may constitute no more than 20 per cent of overall resident places from 2002.
	To ensure flexibility for existing provision that does not meet all these standards but is otherwise of good quality, specific criteria will be set out over the standard relating to room sizes to allow some rooms which do not currently meet the 10 sq m standard to remain in use. These criteria will include:
	an expectation that no room should fall below 9.3 sq m (equivalent to 100 sq ft) provided compensatory space either in the form of en-suite facilities or additional communal day space which residents can use individually if they wish is made available;
	homes which provide spacious individual rooms but do not currently meet the standard of 4.1 sq m communal space per resident will be allowed to meet a lower minimum of 3.7 sq m.
	The net result should be that a total space of 14.1 sq m per resident is provided, with some flexibility about how it is deployed.
	The standards for nine out of the 11 topic areas that we consulted upon in Fit for the Future? received overwhelming support and these will form the basis for the full set of national minimum standards which the Government will publish later this year.
	We have written to honourable and right honourable Members as well as to the residential and nursing home organisations and other relevant bodies which have made representations on these issues.

Personal Investment Authority: Compliance Checks

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many visits the Personal Investment Authority has made to independent financial advisers in the last 12 months for the purposes of:
	(a) ordinary compliance checks; and
	(b) pensions review monitoring,
	and from those visits, how much money has been gathered in fines for breaches of the regulations in relation to:
	(a) ordinary compliance; and
	(b) pensions mis-selling. [HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The number of visits the PIA has made to Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) in the last 12 months to 30 June 2000, for the purposes of:
	(a) ordinary compliance checks is 1,216
	(b) pension review monitoring is 196. No fines have been levied as a result of those visits, as IFAs visited during the last 12 months and subsequently referred for consideration for disciplinary proceedings have not yet completed the disciplinary process.
	Disciplinary actions in respect of pension mis-selling are based upon a lack of progress in completing the pension review, which requires firms to review their pension sales and, where appropriate offer redress.
	During the year ending 30 June 2000, fines were levied as the result of compliance visits undertaken before July 1999. Those fines were as follows.
	(a) fines levied on IFA firms for ordinary compliance failings were £693,750
	(b) fines levied on IFA firms for pension review failings were £701,750.

Government Special Shares

Lord Shore of Stepney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In which companies, since 1980, the Government have held a golden share; and in which companies they still hold a golden share.[HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Government Special shares in the following companies have expired or been redeemed since 1980:
	The 12 Regional Electricity Companies in England and Wales
	The 10 privatised water and sewerage companies in England and Wales
	National Grid Company plc
	BT plc
	British Technology Group
	Mersey Docks and Harbour Company
	British Steel
	Amersham International
	BritOil
	Enterprise Oil
	Jaguar
	AEA Technology
	We believe that this is a complete list, although there is a possibility of omissions given the long time period covered by the question.
	The Government still hold Special shares in the following companies:
	Cable & Wireless plc
	Stena Line Ltd
	BAE SYSTEMS
	Rolls-Royce plc
	VSEL Ltd
	BAA plc
	Belfast International Airport Ltd
	Viridian Group plc
	Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd
	National Grid Group plc
	BG plc
	National Power plc
	PowerGen plc
	Scottish Power plc
	Scottish & Southern Energy plc
	British Energy plc, with separate shares in
	British Energy Generation Ltd
	British Energy Generation (UK) Ltd
	Rosyth Royal Dockyard Ltd
	Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd
	UK Nirex Ltd
	London and Continental Railways Ltd
	Eurostar (UK) Ltd
	Inter-Capital and Regional Rail Limited
	CDC plc
	PUK plc

Luncheon Vouchers

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How luncheon vouchers are treated (a) for tax purposes and (b) for the purpose of national insurance contributions.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The value of any luncheon vouchers awarded to an employee in excess of 15 pence per day is subject to tax and National Insurance contributions.

Long-term Care Insurance

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to receive the report of the Treasury enquiry into long-term care insurance; and whether it will be published.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The report will be published shortly at the same time as a consultation document on the regulation of long-term care insurance.

EU Preliminary Draft Budget

Lord Bruce of Donington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in respect of the EU Document Preliminary Draft Budget 2001, Volume 0, General Introduction (Provisional version--May 2000), they will issue an amendment to their Explanatory Memorandum of 3 July (Glossary) setting out a detailed commentary on, and explanation of, the textual introduction at page 3 of the Budget, and, in particular, the following terms:
	(a) "Activity-based Budgeting (ABB)";
	(b) "Activity-based Management";
	(c) "top-down budgeting";
	(d) "quantitative guidelines";
	(e) "the Commission's twenty-nine policy areas";
	(f) "priorities expressed by Parliament";
	(g) "the employment proposal linked to the new economy";
	(h) "overview of all the various resources"; and
	(i) "major exercise of matching human resources to activities"; and their collective interpretations.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Glossary submitted with the Explanatory Memorandum on the Preliminary Draft Budget 2001, (Volume 0--Provisional version), is intended as a general guide to annual EU Budget terms only.
	Details of the Commission's plans for reform of the budgetary process were included in COM (2000) 200, "White Paper on Reforming the Commission and Action Plan for Reforming the Commission". which was the subject of an Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Foreign Office on 28 March 2000.

EU Preliminary Draft Budget

Lord Bruce of Donington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will indicate what arrangements have been made, or will be made, for consideration to be given by each House of Parliament to the EU Document Preliminary Draft Budget 2001, together with the Explanatory Memorandum thereon; the Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee B thereon (No. 21337); and their answer to HL 3277.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has deposited Explanatory Memoranda in Parliament on the EU Documents Nos. COM(2000) 300, the Preliminary Draft Budget (PDB) 2001 (Volumes 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), and the Commission's Overview of the PDB (Provisional Volume 0), on 10 July and on 27 June respectively.
	In addition, the House of Commons European Standing Committee B debated these documents and the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community, on Wednesday 12 July. The Economic Secretary was present for the Government.

Houses of Parliament: Sittings Statistics

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many days (a) the House of Lords and (b) the House of Commons sat during the 1998-99 Session; and on how many days the Lords rose later than the Commons.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Information Office of the House of Lords is usually able to provide statistics such as these. I have asked them to write to the noble Lord providing the information which has been requested.

Central Office of Information Trading Fund: Accounts

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to publish the accounts of the Central Office of Information Trading Fund.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The accounts of the Central Office of Information Trading Fund were laid before the House on Wednesday 19 July.

Northern Ireland: Terrorist Intimidation

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people are known to have left Northern Ireland because of terrorist threats between 1 January and 30 June 2000; and how the total compares with the same period in 1999.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: There are no figures of this sort available.

Northern Ireland: Terrorist Intimidation

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have to combat punishment beatings and the threats by terrorist groups which force people to leave Northern Ireland.[HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Paramilitary style attacks by their nature are difficult to combat, as are cases of intimidation which may result in people leaving Northern Ireland. Police investigations of such offences are often hampered when victims generally decline to make a formal complaint.
	It is therefore important that members of communities within which these attacks are taking place pass to police any relevant information. They may do so in strict confidence using the Crimestoppers line. They should be encouraged by all community leaders to do so.

Northern Ireland: Drug-related Crimes

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people were convicted of drug-related crimes in Northern Ireland in each year from 1990-1999.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The table below shows numbers of persons convicted for drug-related offences in Northern Ireland. Please note that only figures for 1992-1997 are available for all courts.
	
		
			 Year Numbers Convicted 
			 1990-1991 Data no longer held on accessible database format 
			 1992 307 
			 1993 423 
			 1994 494 
			 1995 671 
			  
			 1996 666 
			 1997 525 
			 1998 177(1) 
			 1999 Not available(1) 
		
	
	(1)Crown Court only. Court data for 1998 (Magistrates' Courts) and 1999 are not yet available due to changes in crime counting rules and the recent change to financial year recording of crime.

Millennium Dome

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 29 June (WA 96) that a number of the Dome's sponsors have recently introduced discounted ticket offers, which organisation bears the revenue costs of these discounted ticket offers: the sponsor or the New Millennium Experience Company.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Some sponsors are supporting the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) ticket marketing efforts by including discounted offers in their own marketing literature. As is normal in such cases, the actual discount is funded by the attraction (i.e. the Dome) and the company carrying the promotion (i.e. the sponsor) meets the cost of all the publicity, literature and point of sale material. The company believes that the sales volume and subsequent retailing opportunities generated by such offers will be significant, making this type of initiative a viable part of the NMEC's marketing strategy.

Millennium Dome

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to reopen the shortlist of two bidders for the Millennium Dome site, in light of the announcement on Friday 7 July by BBC Worldwide that they are supporting the Tussard's Group in a joint venture to bid for the Dome site.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: No new bids can be accepted into the current competition for the future use of the Dome at this advanced stage.

Millennium Dome

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the sole shareholder of the Dome first received the board papers of the New Millennium Experience Company for the board meeting of May 2000.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The board of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) board met on 2 and 18 May. I generally receive board papers the day before board meetings.

Millennium Dome

The Earl of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many content editors were involved by the New Millennium Experience Company in the development of the content of the Dome; who they were; what were their qualifications; and what payments, if any, were made to them.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) employed four content editors; Martin Newman, Tania Watson, Tim Gardom and Ben Evans. The Editors were employed on a consultancy basis on different daily rates of pay reflecting the prior relevant experience of each individual and the nature of the jobs undertaken. In each case these were individuals who were recommended to NMEC by leading design companies, board members and other advisors to NMEC. Under the terms of their contracts, NMEC is obliged to seek permission before disclosing information about terms of employment. NMEC has written to the individuals requesting permission and, once replies have been received, I will write to the noble Earl.

Mr Ben Evans

The Earl of Shrewsbury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Mr Evans was appointed as a content editor of the Dome after a competitive appointment process; whether the post was advertised and interviewed for; how many applicants there were; and whether equal opportunities procedures were followed.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Mr Evans was initially appointed as a consultant to assist the Chief Executive and senior NMEC staff on policy development and liaison with Government. His role developed as he became more involved in aspects of the Dome's content and he took on the role of content editor. In the early days of the project it was imperative to assemble a core management team quickly who could commit themselves to a unique, time-limited project. The post was therefore not advertised.

Mr Ben Evans

The Earl of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the New Millennium Experience Company, whether they agree with the statement of Mr Ben Evans that he "act(s) as a kind of bridge-builder between the shareholder and the company"; and who, if anyone, currently plays the role for the sole shareholder.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The New Millennium Experience Company is a Non-Departmental Public Body which is in receipt of National Lottery funding and is accountable to Parliament via its shareholder. It is therefore important that adequate liaison exists between the company, the Millennium Commission, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and its shareholder. This function is carried out by NMEC's Government liaison team. When Ben Evans joined NMEC in the summer of 1997 he was, briefly, part of this team, before becoming one of a number of content editors in the autumn of that year.

Departmental Cars

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 6 July (WA 148), which cars are supplied to each Department by the Government Car and Despatch Agency, including the Cabinet Office; and what is the number, type and make of each vehicle.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The table contains theinformation requested. The Government Car and Despatch Agency has a regular turnover of vehicles; this information is correct as at today's date.
	
		
			   Rover   Jaguar   FordVauxhall   Nissan  
			  800 400 R45 Discovery Jag/Daimler Limousine Mondeo Galaxy Sierra Omega Vectra Vectra Astra Cavalier Primera 
			 Department UK UK UK UK UK UK Belgium Portugal Belgium Germany Germany UK Germany UK UK Total 
			 Cabinet Office 12  3 2  5 1 2 4   20 
			 Crown Prosecution Service   1 1 
			 Department for Culture,  Media and Sport   3   1 1 5 
			 Department of the  Environment, Transport  and the Regions 1  5   1 11 9 
			 Department for Education  and Employment  2 1  1  41 9 
			 Department for  International Development   1   1 1 3 
			 Department of Social  Security 1  41 6 
			 Department of Trade and  Industry 1 1 122 7 
			 Export Credit Guarantee  Department  1  1 
			 Foreign and  Commonwealth Office   3   1 1 5 
			 Department of Health   13   1 2 8 
			 HM Treasury 2  13 6 
			 Home Office   23 5 
			 Law Officer's  Departments 1   1 
			 Lord Chancellor's  Department 1  3 4 
			 Ministry of Agriculture,  Fisheries and Food   3   1 1 5 
			 Ministry of Defence  1  1 
			 Northern Ireland Office 1  12 4 
			 Office of the Rail  Regulator  1  1 
			 Office of Government  Commerce   1 1 
			 Privy Council Office 2  1 3 
			 Scotland Office 1 1  2 
			 Treasury Solicitor  1  1 
			 Wales Office   1   1  2 
			 
			 Sub Total 10 5 2 0 5 0 41 2 0 15 18 2 4 0 6 110 
			 GCDA (includes security  vehicles) 25 0 0 2 6 1 14 1 1 20 8 1 0 1 0 80 
			  
			 Total 35 5 2 2 11 1 55 3 1 35 26 3 4 1 6 190 
		
	
	As at 13 July 2000

Moluccas

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the escalation of violence in the Moluccas in Indonesia; and, in particular, whether they will ask the Government of Indonesia to do more to halt the killings of civilians in the region.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I made clear our extreme concern at the serious deterioration in the violence during the House debate on Indonesia of 20 June. Since then, the Foreign Office Minister, John Battle, issued a statement on 23 June and discussed the situation with the Indonesian Ambassador on 3 July. The Head of Diplomatic Service raised our concerns directly with President Wahid in Jakarta on 4 July, and EU ambassadors followed up in a meeting with President Wahid on 17 July. We and others are continuing to urge the Indonesian authorities to redouble efforts. The UK has seconded a specialist to work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish mechanisms for managing the international humanitarian response. UNDP has recently dispatched three teams to Molucca to assess current needs. We will continue to work with the Indonesian authorities to ensure access to international humanitarian assistance.

Telegram from HM Ambassador to Japan

Viscount Goschen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 11 July (WA 20), what is the form of the inquiry being undertaken into the disclosure of a telegram from HM Ambassador to Japan; when the inquiry is expected to report; and whether its findings will be made public.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: An internal inquiry into the possible leak to The Times of a protectively marked telegram from our Ambassador, Sir Stephen Gomersall, in Tokyo was conducted immediately after the disclosure of the document. The telegram received a very wide distribution, not only within the FCO but also in a number of other government departments. Initial inquiries have not identified a culprit because of the large number of people who have seen the telegram throughout Whitehall. Inquiries will continue. A formal leak investigation will not be made.

UNITA: Sanctions

Lord Brookman: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action the United Nations Secretary-General has taken to look into breaches of United Nations sanctions against the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The UK has given full support to the ground-breaking work of Ambassador Robert Fowler, Chairman of the Angola Sanctions Committee, to ensure that UN sanctions against UNITA are made to bite. We financially supported the Angola Expert Panel to the tune of 200,000 US dollars. The panel investigated reports of sanctions breaking and reported to the UN Security Council on 15 March. The Security Council welcomed the panel's report in UN Security Council Resolution 1295, adopted on 18 April 2000.
	The report gave a detailed analysis of the problem of sanctions breaking. It reports the alleged involvement of a number of individuals. For example, it states that the central figure in UNITA's external procurement and diamond trade operations is Marcelo Moises Dachala, known as "Karrica", based in Ougadougou, and that Imad Kabir "has been purchasing weapons for Savimbi which were being delivered to Kinshasa. From 1995-1996 until the fall of Andulo in October 1999, Kabir is said to have served as UNITA's primary broker for importing arms and military equipment".
	Security Council Resolution 1295 (2000) requested the UN Secretary-General to establish a monitoring mechanism to collect further information and investigate relevant leads relating to allegations of violations of UN sanctions against UNITA and report to the Security Council by 18 October 2000. That mechanism has now been established. On 11 July the Secretary-General appointed five experts to serve on it.
	We greatly welcome the fact that Ms Christine Gordon, a British national and independent writer, consultant and researcher, has been appointed to the monitoring mechanism, and wish her well in her important task.
	Sanctions breaking must be stopped. The expert panel's report, the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1295 (2000) and the establishment of the monitoring mechanism show that the international community will no longer tolerate sanctions breaking.

Human Rights: FCO Annual Report

Baroness Young: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will publish its next annual report on human rights.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual report on human rights will be published as a Command Paper at 2.30 pm on 20 July. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and distributed throughout Parliament in the usual way. The report will be placed on the FCO websites (www.fco.gov.uk and hrpd.fco.gov.uk) and will be available through the Stationery Office.

Sierra Leone: UN Diamond Embargo

Baroness Howells of St Davids: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Nations has introduced an embargo on the import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1306(2000) on 5 July which prohibits the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to the territory of member states. The resolution also decides that rough diamonds controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a certificate of origin regime shall be exempt from the measures when the UN Sanctions Committee on Sierra Leone has reported to the council that an effective regime is fully in operation.
	Britain played a leading role in promoting Resolution 1306 in the UN Security Council. Diamonds are at the heart of the tragedy in Sierra Leone and this resolution sends a powerful signal about the need to end the trade in conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone.
	The embargo on Sierra Leone rough diamonds is established for an initial period of 18 months. At the end of this period the Security Council will review the situation in Sierra Leone, including the extent of the Government's authority over the diamond-producing areas, in order to decide whether to extend the restrictions for a further period and, if necessary, to modify them or adopt further measures.
	The embargo is implemented in the UK by means of an amendment to the Open General Import Licence. It is implemented in a similar manner in the Isle of Man. Orders in Council under the United Nations Act 1946 have been made to implement the restrictions in the other Crown Dependencies and in the Overseas Territories.

Sudan: British Military Cemeteries

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many British military cemeteries are situated in Sudan; where they are located; and how many British and Commowealth war graves are to be found in these cemeteries.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I understand from the Commonwealth Graves Commission that there is one British military cemetery in Khartoum, where nearly 1,000 Commonwealth war dead of the two world wars are buried or commemorated. Of the war dead, nearly 600 who have no known grave are commemorated on a memorial within the cemetery.

Sudan: British Military Cemeteries

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How often, and on what occasions, British Embassy officials visit British military cemeteries in Sudan; and when was the last such visit.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: British Embassy officials visit the military cemetery in Khartoum at regular intervals, the most important occasion being of course Remembrance Day. Our ambassador last visited the cemetery in May 2000.

Sudan: British Military Cemeteries

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How frequently the Commonwealth War Graves Commission visits British military cemeteries in Sudan.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I understand from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that visits are made annually to the Khartoum Cemetery. The last visit was in May 2000.

Sudan: British Council Projects

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What have been the annual budgets of the British Council since 1990; and what projects have been funded by the British Council in Sudan since 1996.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The turnover figures for the British Council since 1990 are as follows:
	
		
			  £000s 
			 1990-91 362,372 
			 1991-92 382,129 
			 1992-93 413,201 
			 1993-94 402,259 
			 1994-95 426,919 
			 1995-96 422,647 
			 1996-97 433,864 
			 1997-98 412,662 
			 1998-99 424,639 
			 1999-2000 429,560 
		
	
	The British Council has funded the following ongoing activities in Sudan since 1996: library and information services, English language development, governance and human rights and cultural heritage projects and promotion of the UK. Additionally, until 1998 the council worked in basic and higher, as well as medical and environmental education.

Strategic Export Controls

Lord Brooks of Tremorfa: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish their Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls for 1999.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The annual report was published on Friday 21 July. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House and in the Vote Office from 12 noon.
	The report is also available on the FCO's website at www.fco.gov.uk/directory/dynpage.asp?Page=355.

Entry Clearance Refusal: 1999 Report

Lord Grenfell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to place in the Library of the House the 1999 report by Dame Elizabeth Anson, the independent monitor, relating to the refusal of entry clearance where there is no right of appeal.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I have arranged for copies of Dame Elizabeth's report of 1999 to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses on Friday, 21 July. I welcome the report and note Dame Elizabeth's comments and suggestions, which will receive careful consideration.

Gaming Machine Industry: Payment Methods

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the anticipated impact of conversion to euros on the number and total value of coins in circulation and the consequences for the gaming machine industry, what progress is being made with a deregulation order to allow note acceptors, smart cards and replay-off-win meters for gaming machines.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Subject to consultation with interested bodies, we see good arguments for some relaxation of the present restrictions on payment for the use of gaming machines other than by coins, whether or not euro coins are in use. We are currently discussing with the British Amusement Catering Trades Association, which represents the gaming machine industry, the terms of the consultation document which would be required for an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. We hope to issue it shortly.

Young Offenders: Living Arrangements

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they possess any information on the proportion of young offenders who at the time of offending were:
	(a) residing in the parental home;
	(b) in care;
	(c) in other accommodation; and
	(d) homeless.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested is not held centrally. Local youth offending teams record details of a young offender's circumstances, including family relationships and living arrangements, in helping to plan and deliver intervention work to prevent further offending. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales will be asking youth offending teams to provide it with information on the level of offending by children being looked after by a local authority.

Young Offenders: Living Arrangements

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Youth Justice Board collects information on the financial means of support available to young offenders at the time of offending.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Youth Justice Board does not collect this information. Local youth offending teams assess living arrangements and family circumstances when dealing with individual young offenders.

Asylum Seekers: Rent Levels

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will monitor changes in rent levels in areas selected for the dispersal of asylum seekers.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: In negotiating contracts for the provision of accommodation and related services for asylum seekers, the National Asylum Support Service takes into account a range of factors in determining whether the terms offered by a prospective contractor represent value for money. One of these will be the comparative cost of the accommodation itself.

Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 27 June (WA 66) in relation to the advertisement for the post of Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, what was the cost of advertising and interviewing candidates for this post.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The cost of advertising the post of Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey was £9,348.30. It is not possible to identify separately the interviewing costs.

Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any people other than service people and diplomats have been interviewed for the post of Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey; and whether there have been any female candidates.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: No one other than a service person or diplomat was interviewed for the post of Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. One female candidate applied for the post in response to The Times advertisement.

No. 2, Marsham Street

Lord Brougham and Vaux: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 28 June 1999 (WA 6) what plans they now have for the future of 2 Marsham Street.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The future of the Marsham Street site rests on the outcome of a public private partnership project to provide modern offices for Home Office and Prison Service staff. Bids from two private sector companies are being evaluated and an announcement on the outcome is expected shortly.

Foreign Nationals: Leave to Remain

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to replace the current application forms for foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The current application forms are valid for use only until 14 October 2000. Revised forms will be prescribed before then. It is planned to make them available before the end of September. From the time they are issued until 14 October 2000, applications may be made on either the newly prescribed forms or the present versions. Only the new forms may be used for applications made on or after 15 October 2000. Copies will be placed in the Library as soon as they are available.

Police Forces in Rural Areas: Financial Provision

Lord Evans of Watford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to allocate the money recently agreed for police forces in rural areas in the current year.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: On 15 June my right honourable friend the Home Secretary in his Answer in another place (Official Report, col. 714W) announced provision of £15 million, made available in the Budget for assistance to police forces in rural areas this year.
	The allocations for 2000-01 are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Police Authority £ 
			 Avon and Somerset 494,892 
			 Bedfordshire 81,390 
			 Cambridgeshire 561,585 
			 Cheshire 115,058 
			 City of London 0 
			 Cleveland 0 
			 Cumbria 690,613 
			 Derbyshire 208,347 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,554,673 
			 Dorset 221,858 
			 Durham 124,270 
			 Dyfed Powys 1,297,570 
			 Essex 251,315 
			 Gloucestershire 387,093 
			 Greater Manchester 0 
			 Gwent 102,895 
			 Hampshire 110,175 
			 Hertfordshire 0 
			 Humberside 357,640 
			 Kent 298,863 
			 Lancashire 32,228 
			 Leicestershire 216,758 
			 Lincolnshire 985,951 
			 Merseyside 0 
			 Metropolitan 0 
			 Norfolk 1,036,848 
			 North Wales 770,617 
			 North Yorkshire 1,005,224 
			 Northamptonshire 350,892 
			 Northumbria 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 0 
			 South Wales 0 
			 South Yorkshire 0 
			 Staffordshire 138,358 
			 Suffolk 711,353 
			 Surrey 5,463 
			 Sussex 273,834 
			 Thames Valley 629,559 
			 Warwickshire 282,108 
			 West Mercia 1,157,670 
			 West Midlands 0 
			 West Yorkshire 0 
			 Wiltshire 544,900 
			  
			 All Police Authorities 15,000,000 
		
	
	The sums have been apportioned on the basis of population weighted by a sparsity score. Payment will be made shortly.
	Financial provision for future years has been included in the Spending Review 2000 settlement.

National Probation Service: Funding

Lord Clarke of Hampstead: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they meet urgent expenditure relating to the National Probation Service for England and Wales subsequent to the enactment of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Parliamentary approval to expenditure on the new National Probation Service for England and Wales will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Home Office Vote (Class IV Vote 1). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £670,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund. This expenditure is required to ensure that the National Probation Service would be able to come into effect on 1 April 2001, subject to the successful passage of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill.
	Reform of the Probation Service is key to the Government's crime reduction and effective punishment strategy. Current plans envisage a vesting date of 1 April 2001 for the new National Probation Service. This date is key for delivering operational effectiveness gains, which would otherwise be lost or significantly delayed. Two critical ingredients of reform are changes in governance and leadership of the new service and it is in these areas that urgent expenditure would be incurred. The critical path for achieving the target date is dependent upon starting the process of selection to the 42 new probation boards and the recruitment of chief officers for the eight amalgamated services by July.

Criminal Records Bureau Information Systems and Services

Lord Murray of Epping Forest: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will announce the outcome of the invitation to tender for the Criminal Records Bureau Information Systems and Services.[HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Criminal Records Bureau issued an invitation to tender on 12 June 2000 for the provision of information systems and services through a public private sector partnership. Three firms had previously been shortlisted and they provided their submissions in response to the invitation to tender on 28 June.
	Following a thorough evaluation against separate qualitative and financial criteria, Bernard Herdan, Chief Executive of the Criminal Records Bureau, has accepted the recommendation of the tender evaluation board that the tender from Capita should be selected as the one which is the most economically advantageous based on the best combination of technical design, customer service, quality, schedule, risk transfer and cost. The Criminal Records Bureau and Capita will now commence preferred supplier negotiations with a view to award a contract in the near future, subject to completion of a satisfactory appraisal and business case.

Prison Service Performance

Lord Peston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will comment on the performance of Her Majesty's Prison Service in 1999-2000.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: My right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Home Office is pleased to report that today the Director General of Her Majesty's Prison Service has laid before Parliament the Annual Report and Accounts for the Prison Service for 1999-2000. Copies have been placed in the Library.

Scientific Procedures on Living Animals

Lord Peston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the figures relating to scientific procedures performed on living animals in Great Britain in 1999.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested will be published as a Command Paper, Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 1999, on 17 August.
	My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office (Mr O'Brien) has reported that: the number of procedures started in 1999 was about 2.66 million, almost exactly the same as in 1998: 83 per cent of these were performed using mice and rats; the number of animals used in 1999 was 2.57 million, about 24,000 fewer than in 1998; and the number of procedures involving the use of genetically modified animals rose by 63,000 to 511,000 in 1999, but this was almost exactly offset by a decrease to 1,894,000 in the use of animals with a normal genetic constitution.

Unduly Lenient Sentences: Attorney-General's Powers

Lord Peston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to fulfil their manifesto commitment to extend the Attorney-General's powers to refer lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal for review.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: An order extending the Attorney-General's powers in relation to unduly lenient sentences is being laid before Parliament today. This will enable the Attorney-General to refer sentences imposed for offences of illegal trafficking in drugs and pornographic material involving children and offences specifically against children (unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16, inciting a girl under 16 to have incestuous intercourse and indecent conduct towards a young child). The order comes into effect on 21 August 2000 and will apply to any sentence imposed after that date. The Government will keep under review whether further exclusions should be made in future.

Asylum Claims: Postal Applications

Lord Peston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied with the current arrangements for asylum claims to be made by post.[HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: We are at present receiving about 700 postal applications for asylum a month and estimate that about half come from applicants living in London. We take the view that asylum applications should normally be made in person so that the proper checks, including fingerprinting, can be made to establish identity and prevent fraudulent or multiple applications. From 31 July, postal applicants living in any of the London boroughs will be required to attend for screening at Croydon before their claim is recorded and processed. We will be seeking to extend similar arrangements to other parts of the country as soon as possible.

Defence Training Review

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which training subjects are currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Defence Training Scheme.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Defence Training Review is examining the requirement for all education and individual training in the Ministry of Defence, service and civilian, and the means by which it is delivered to ensure that it meets the department's requirements for timeliness, quality, value for money, doctrine and operational effectiveness, at least until 2010.
	The aim is to provide the Armed Forces and MoD civilians with a training and education system that best meets defence needs in the 21st century.

MoD: Cost of New Barracks in UK

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the cost of building new barracks in the United Kingdom; and whether it would help the Ministry of Defence budgetary problems if units remained in British Forces Germany.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The cost of building any new barracks will depend on a number of factors, including the location, existing infrastructure and the role of the unit. The cost of a typical barracks for a light-roled infantry battalion is between £40 million and £60 million.
	The Strategic Defence Review made clear that the forward basing of ground forces in Germany would remain a key aspect of British defence policy. But, in order to create a better balance between 1 (UK) Armoured Division stationed in Germany and 3 (UK) Division based in the United Kingdom, it was decided to withdraw around 2,500 troops from Germany.
	The Comprehensive Spending Review settlement, announced on 18 July by my right honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place, provides what the Ministry of Defence needs to take forward implementation of these restructuring plans set out under the SDR to meet the challenges of the modern world, taking account of operational lessons learned and other priorities which have emerged since the SDR was announced in 1998.

Mull of Kintyre Helicopter Crash

Lord Jacobs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Ministry of Defence considered the Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system for the Chinook Mk2 to be flight safety critical at the time of the Mull of Kintyre crash in 1994; and
	Whether the weight restriction imposed on the Chinook Mk2 in 1994 would have protected the aircraft from any safety-related problem in the event of an engine surge due to a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC)-related problem.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mull of Kintyre Helicopter Crash

Lord Jacobs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the ground speed on impact of Royal Air Force Chinook ZD576 as determined by the Air Accidents investigation Branch.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch concluded that ground speed at initial impact was in the order of 150 knots.

Mull of Kintyre Helicopter Crash

Lord Jacobs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who was the Controller Aircraft who granted an Initial CA Release for the Chinook Mk2; and who was the then Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Controller Aircraft who granted an Initial CA Release for the Chinook Mk2 was Sir Donald Spiers CB, TD; the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff at this time was Air Vice-Marshal A J C Bagnall OBE.

Mull of Kintyre Helicopter Crash

Lord Jacobs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who was Air Officer Commander in Chief on 6 June 1994.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Air Officer Commanding in Chief (Strike Command) on 6 June 1994 was Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson KCB, CBE, AFC.

MERLIN Radio-imaging Telescope

Lord Smith of Leigh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will support and invest in the proposed upgrade of facilities at Jodrell Bank's MERLIN radio-imaging telescope.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: It is for the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council to decide whether or not to fund the proposed upgrade to the MERLIN network of radio telescopes. The proposal will be evaluated in autumn and a decision made shortly thereafter.

Departmental Cars

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackstone on 10 July (WA 6), which of the cars listed by the Minister for the Cabinet Office (HC Deb, 287W) in the fleet operated by the Government Car and Despatch Agency are used by Ministers and senior officials in the Department for Education and Employment; and whether they will list them by number, type and make.

Baroness Blackstone: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given by my right honourable friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office today.

School Performance Indicators: Pupils Recently Arrived from Overseas

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will adjust the performance indicators of schools which take large numbers of asylum seekers' children to ensure that the school's statistical record does not suffer as a result.

Baroness Blackstone: In the light of representations received from schools we have decided that pupils recently arrived from overseas, including children of asylum seekers and refugees, whose first language is not English should not be counted as on school rolls when calculating information for publication in the annual primary and secondary school performance tables.
	This adjustment to the tables will apply from this year and will only affect information published on individual schools and local education authorities. National level statistics, against which the Government's performance towards its literacy and numeracy targets at age 11 and the GCSE targets at age 15 are measured, will continue to be compiled on the same basis as in the past.

House of Lords: New Office Accommodation

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Further to his Written Answer on 10 July (WA8), on how many square feet the House of Lords will pay £33.50 per square foot for the lease of 7 Little College Street and Millbank House.

Lord Boston of Faversham: On approximately 28,500 square feet, resulting in an annual rent for office space of approximately £955,000. The total annual rent will be approximately £1,035,000, which includes the rent (at a lower rate per square foot) for the basement.

House of Lords: Members' Postal Arrangements

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What will be the financial saving to the House of Lords of the proposed changes in Members' postal arrangements; and what will be the effect on the staff.

Lord Boston of Faversham: The change in the Members' postal service is not intended to make financial savings but to provide a more efficient service for Members and to improve the quality of work for Attendants, who will no longer have to sort and redirect mail. These tasks will be taken over by the Royal Mail.
	The cost of the service will be £68,000 per year (including VAT, which will be recoverable). Two Attendant posts will be saved at a cost of about £14,000 each, and the new service will also contribute to the leaner staffing of the new office accommodation in Millbank House. There will be no redundancies among the Attendants because staff will be needed to service Millbank House.